The Asahi Shimbun newspaper has reported that Japan’s Minister of Finance, Ko-riki Jo-jima, has close connections with crime syndicates.

Ko-riki Jo-jima, appointed on October 1st this year, is reported to have received assistance from crime syndicates in parliamentary elections three years ago. Jo-jima denied the claims, saying untruthful reports had tarnished his reputation. He’s cautioned the newspaper to retract its comments and has demanded an apology.